Kumar avoids jail time, sent to St Giles

THE Suva Magistrate’s Court has ordered suspended schoolteacher Kishore Kumar be taken to St Giles Hospital and released from the State’s custody after he has been registered as an outpatient and assigned a case manager.Magistrate Seini Puamau made the order after suspending Kishore Kumar’s one-year and 10 months sentence for five years for making false pornographic claims against Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua.Ms Puamau said an outpatient and case manager would ensure Kumar’s compliance with medication and regular follow-ups.

Kumar pleaded guilty to six counts of causing harm by posting electronic communication and a count of criminal intimidation.Ms Puamau took into consideration Kumar’s mitigation, unequivocal guilty plea, his remorsefulness and his mental condition.She read a portion of Kumar’s psychiatric report which said that upon admission to St Giles Hospital in April last year he was agitated and frustrated.



The report revealed Kumar was suffering from schizoaffective disorder. However, after being treated and taking medication, doctors saw an improvement in his behaviour and mental health.Kumar was warned by Ms Puamau to take his medication to prevent any relapse, but importantly to promote his rehabilitation.

“I must make it clear that if not for your mental condition, you will be serving immediate jail time. Do not take the chance given to you to reform lightly,” Ms Puamau said.The post Kumar avoids jail time, sent to St Giles appeared first on The Fiji Times.

.